SHREVEPORT, La. – Christmas is a time of joy for families, but it also brings people together to get something for free. It’s a busy time for thieves. There will be more porch pirates preying on people ordering things online. Retail theft will also skyrocket.
Walmart is America’s largest retailer, with annual sales of more than $600 billion. But the retail giant also has to deal with millions of dollars in losses due to theft. Walmart loses approximately 1% of its expected total revenue to shoplifting each year. Let’s think about it. Thieves steal $6 billion from Walmart every year. That means each Walmart store will write off at least $60,000 each year due to shoplifting.
What are the top 10 items stolen from Walmart?
Business Insider’s report includes the following items on its list:
cosmetics Lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, etc.
small electronic equipment Watches, smartphones, chargers, etc.
toy Hot Wheels, Pokemon cards, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, etc.
Over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers and stool softeners.
food Packaged meats, baby food, deli foods, alcohol, etc.
intimate items such as condoms and sex toys.
clothes, accessories etc. Underwear, handbags, sunglasses, etc.
jewelry earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
school and office supplies Pens, pencils, sticky notes, etc.and
Household goods such as laundry detergent and toilet paper.
Many companies, including Target and Walmart, are now locking large containers of laundry detergent to prevent theft.
For the same reason, you may also see powdered milk kept behind a locked cabinet.
Reports indicate that criminal organizations are increasingly stealing large quantities of goods and reselling them online.
Part of the problem is that retailers have policies in place that discourage employee intervention. Some cities have stopped responding to many shoplifting complaints unless the amount is substantial.
I’ve said that if you were to go into a store and steal food because your kids were hungry, I wouldn’t be able to punish you too severely. But a look at the top stolen groceries might make you reconsider that theory. The thieves are loading meat, seafood, candy, alcohol and energy drinks. These are the most stolen items from the grocery side of these stores. Certainly doesn’t sound like someone trying to feed their children. This just sounds like a crime.
The crimes have forced some major retailers to raise prices, while others have been forced to close due to widespread theft.
top toys at walmart 2023
Gallery credit: Noah Haynes
11 items you should never buy at Walmart stores
Even if you want to save money at a Walmart store, you should avoid purchasing these items during your visit.
Gallery credit: Billy Jenkins